As we look forward to all that 2023 has to offer, Week 2 will be buzzing with activities including the Year 12 Information Evening and our Opening Eucharist. I look forward to seeing everyone at the various events throughout the term.
In Faith and Love
Sharon Volp
Principal
Let me begin by welcoming everyone back to the College for the start of the new school year. I'd like to extend a special welcome to new families and staff who have joined us this year. It's been wonderful to begin the school year normally. Co-curricular music and sport have begun, with CaSSSA sport beginning next weekend.
“Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
“Lord, help us to live the virtue of generosity, to love without limits.” Pope Francis
Mt St Michael’s College – A Positive School with Visible Wellbeing.
In this, the first newsletter for the year, I would like to welcome all students back to the College and extend a warm welcome to our new Year 7 students as well as the new students who have commenced with us in 2023.
We were thrilled to welcome our newest members of our College community on Tuesday morning. Our Year 7 students were greeted by our senior leaders and staff before visiting their homeroom. They were warmly introduced at our Welcome Assembly with our Year 12 cohort forming a traditional guard of honour.
The cohort enjoyed many activities during the day and were reunited with their parents in the Sophia Centre at the conclusion of the day for their laptop induction.
My name is Elliot McGarry and I am excited to lead the Health and Physical Education team here at Mt St Michael’s. I have been involved in girls’ education since 2010 and have taught Health and Physical Education at both St Rita’s College and Brisbane Girls Grammar School. I am passionate about providing each student with a rich educational experience and I look forward to supporting students to flourish as healthy, safe, and active citizens in the 21st century.
I feel very privileged to be joining such a wonderful school in the role of Program Leader – Senior Schooling. Whilst I grew up in Brisbane, I have spent the last 16 years in Gladstone in Central Queensland where I worked as Head of English at Toolooa State High School. I was incredibly fortunate to spend the last two years travelling across Australia and overseas.
Moving cities, jobs, and education systems at the same time has certainly been an interesting experience but I already know that I have made the right decision. I look forward to working with staff, students, parents, and care-givers to provide quality educational outcomes for every student. Education really is a team effort and I’ve joined a winning team!
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into the MSM community!
I was born in Brisbane and obtained my first teaching position at a Catholic secondary school in Mount Isa. I was in Mount Isa for five years as a Pastoral Leader then moved to England to teach and travel. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before COVID hit, and I was trapped inside teaching online. I stayed in England for two years in a Pastoral position and managed to see ten countries. When my visa ran out, I moved back home to Brisbane to be closer to friends and family where I obtained a curriculum position at St Laurence’s College. Here I realised my passion and calling was in the Pastoral field and was over the moon when I was offered the Year 7 Pastoral Leader position at MSM.
‘Fide Et Amore,’ a motto that not only rang true to me when I attended the college but one that I base my teaching philosophy and life on to this day. I pride myself on possessing and instilling a love of learning and a passion for life, one which was developed and fostered during my time at MSM. I am very much looking forward to working with the students and families within Year 7 and the College.